Editor's Note On Friday, August 26, the vaccine manufacturer Moderna sued Pfizer and the German drugmaker BioNTech, accusing its competitors of copying technology that Moderna had developed prior to the pandemic, The New York Times August 26 reports. The patent infringement claims could result in a protracted and expensive legal battle…

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Editor's Note The FBI on August 22 warned healthcare workers of ongoing fraud schemes where scammers impersonate law enforcement and government officials in an effort to extort money or steal personally identifiable information (PII), Healthcare Purchasing News August 24 reports. By researching a medical practice’s website or social media, scammers…

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Editor's Note The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law by President Biden on Tuesday, August 16, at the White House, CBS News August 16 reports. This finalizes a signature piece of legislation aimed at lowering healthcare costs, fighting climate change, and raising taxes on corporations. The Senate passed…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 11 updated its guidelines for COVID-19. The new recommendations focus on helping people better understand their risks, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed, and what actions to take if they test positive…

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Widely known for her research on laser technology and for her legislative work advocating for smoke evacuation in the OR, Kay Ball, PhD, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, FAAN, a perioperative consultant and adjunct professor at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, sat down with OR Manager to discuss the role of education…

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Editor's Note The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new guidance on July 11 to ascertain that “abortion is covered under the federal law requiring Medicare hospitals to provide all patients appropriate emergency care—including abortion care—regardless of state law,” Becker’s Hospital Review July 12 reports. The HHS…

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Editor's Note A female patient in Chicago, Illinois, filed a lawsuit on July 7 against the multinational UnitedHealth Group for alleged underpayment of telehealth services, Becker’s Payer Issues July 8 reports. The lawsuit claims that the woman’s insurance plan covers telehealth services, including pay benefits for-out-network services. After receiving out-of-network…

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Editor's Note According to a June 20 article published by JDSupra from law firm Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, recent government action out of the Justice Department involving ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and anesthesia provider arrangements points "to a need to carefully vet these partnerships,” Becker’s ASC Review June 21…

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Editor's Note On Friday, June 24, the American Hospital Association (AHA) voiced support for the Protecting and Transforming Cyber Health Care Act (PATCH Act)—legislation that would “require medical device manufacturers to meet certain cybersecurity requirements when seeking approval for devices that are internet connected or include software” in order to…

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Editor's Note The American Hospital Association (AHA) this week voiced support for the Senate’s bipartisan framework to help reduce gun violence in communities, AHA June 14 reports. The proposal includes provisions to help the country to combat violence and make “critical investments” in behavioral healthcare, school safety resources, and support…

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